Cyngor Gwynedd have marked the first year of their partnership with homelessness charity The Wallich in order to provide a Housing First service in the county. The aim of the scheme is to ensure that homeless people get access to support and long-term secure housing.
In the 2024-25 nearly 1,000 people presented as homeless in Gwynedd, with many of them with numerous and complex needs. Housing Firs works on the principle of providing a home without preconditions to homeless people as opposed to temporary housing. In Gwynedd, officers from The Wallich then provide expert support tailored to the individual in order to ensure that any support provided is successful. The programme is funded by Cyngor Gwynedd through the Welsh Governments Housing Support Grant.
According to Cyngor Gwynedd, the programme has has achieved the following:
- Nine people are now living in stable homes, with one more due to move in this December.
- Seven people have been supported to access mental health services.
- Eight people have received support related to substance use.
In a press release by Cyngor Gwynedd, a person who received support through Gwynedd’s Housing First service was quoted as saying:
“I’ve been homeless since 2018 and living in emergency accommodation from the Council ever since. But since meeting The Wallich, I can’t believe how much support and help I’ve received. Hats off to them. I’ve never had this kind of support before.
Now I’m in a very good place. I’m happy, which is something I haven’t been for many years. I’ve got a little one-bedroom flat that I’ll be moving into at the beginning of December. It’s small steps, but I’ve got good plans for the new year. Have patience and good things will come. That’s the key.”
Nicola Lamerick, Housing First Manager at The Wallich, said:
“I want to extend thanks to all our partner agencies for their continued support of the project. At The Wallich, we’re committed to delivering a trauma-informed, person-centred service that offers real, lasting solutions to ending homelessness.
In Gwynedd, we’ve supported individuals who were in incredibly difficult circumstances when we first met them, and now, they’re thriving. I’m immensely proud of the work of my team, their dedication and compassion are genuinely life-changing for those we support. We’ve made fantastic progress, with nearly half of those we support having moved on from long periods of homelessness and now living in safe, permanent accommodation.
To sustain this momentum, we need more homes. We invite landlords and housing providers to get in touch with us to help drive this service forward. Together, we can offer hope, stability, and a future to those who need it most.”
Councillor Paul Rowlinson, Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said:
“Housing First provides a stable home quickly, alongside effective support for people with complex needs experiencing homelessness. The model has been proven to work worldwide, and I’m pleased to see people in Gwynedd benefitting from such a compassionate service. Working in partnership with The Wallich has been key to this success.
Supporting people experiencing homelessness is a priority for us, and the success of this scheme over the last year is one part of our wider commitment to ultimately ensure that no-one is homeless in Gwynedd.”
If you live in Gwynedd and are homeless, or worried about someone sleeping rough, you can contact Cyngor Gwynedd’s homelessness service by phoning 01286 685100 or by contacting digartef@gwynedd.llyw.cymru.
